Toboggan Chute

The Lake Placid Toboggan Chute, located on Parkside Drive, adjacent to the Post Office, has been in operation since the 1960's. The North Elba Park District currently operates the slide. A 30' high converted ski jump trestle sends toboggans down ice covered chutes onto frozen Mirror Lake. Depending on weather conditions toboggans can travel over 1,000 feet once they reach the frozen lake surface. To insure the safety of riders only one sled is sent down at a time. Families have always said that their visit to the Toboggan Chute was a highlight of their winter vacation. Since the actual outrun of the slide is the frozen lake surface, the official opening day for operation varies from year to year. We have been open as early as December 26 and one year it wasn't until February before we were in operation. Generally we get operating around the first full weekend in January. We like to have 10-12 inches of good solid ice to insure the safety of our guests. Admission prices allow our guests to slide as much as they can during the scheduled time. Toboggans are rented and can hold 2-4 people. During Christmas and President's week lines are often long and people sometimes have to wait 15-20 minutes between rides. We do offer extended hours during these peak holiday times. Since this is an outdoor activity, we recommend that guests dress warm, wear winter boots, and not wear expensive ski pants. The friction created during the ride often wears through certain types of skiwear. We also extend a caution suggesting that you must be in good health, and free from heart conditions, motion sickness, back or neck problems, or any other physical limitations. It is also suggested that expectant mothers refrain from riding.